With all that time off over the Christmas and New Year, many of us will be leaving The City and heading to spend the festivities with our most loved ones. If like me you’re planning on enjoying the fresh crisp air and quaint endless fields, while walking your three Bassets in the Hampshire countryside you really need to start thinking about what you’re going to pack in your suitcases aside from the obligatory Christmas Reindeer jumpers. For me, winter visits back home are a chance to swap ‘The City’ wardrobe of skinny jeans and Chelsea boots for my beloved Hunters and quilted vests.
The Brits do the country trend better than anyone: we keep it trendy and cool, whilst staying true to the classics. We love the earthy shades of green, brown and red; the elbow -pads, the quilted vests and jackets, and of course – Hunters.
Many designers including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Gant present this trend with an upscale equestrian feel to it with the details of leather, tall boots and patterned bow ties. But whether you’re more laid back in your approach or you like to go all out when creating the look, this trend is so versatile it lets you do both – from simple wax jacket/jeans/wellies combo, to pulling out the checked trousers, chunky knits, funky bow ties and flat-caps. The country trend is all about textures, and is similar to the ever so popular heritage trend.
Both the clothes and the fabrics are so comfortable and adaptable to anything from clay-shooting and horse-riding, to simple dog-walking and chilling out by the fire. The muted autumnal colour combinations complement each other as well as the surroundings, and this is the trend that will never go out of fashion, and will always be considered sexy, cool and sophisticated.
So here are few key pieces you must invest in for your annual back- to-the-parents’-country-house-for-Christmas:
Quilted Vest/Jacket
Who would have thought that ‘warm, comfortable and practical’ are the new synonyms for ‘chic’?
The Tweed Jacket
Smart yet laid back. Team it up with jeans, chinos, corduroy trousers – the jacket does all the talking in any combo.
Checks
When combining a variety of checks through different pieces of clothing, it creates a layered preppy look. Checks also look great worn with a tweed and/or quilted jacket.
Hunters
Chic, water proof and high enough that you won’t get your red/yellow/bright orange socks dirty even if you end up, up to your ankles in mud.
English countryside dressing looks effortless and it’s easily put together; yet it has an air of sophistication, aristocratic suave and a dash of decadent attitude about it. The best thing about it is, it doesn’t matter whether you’re just popping into a local pub, or attending a refined soiree, these pieces put together will work for any occasion (though perhaps change your Hunters to your Loafers – for carpets’ sake).
Let us know what you think of this trend in the comments below.
